igneous
Granite
Granite (primarily Quartz, Feldspar, and Mica)
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Gray, white, or pinkish with dark flecks; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystalline; Cleavage: None (fractures irregularly); Specific gravity: 2.63-2.75.
- Hardness
- 6-7 on Mohs scale
- Color
- Gray, white, or pinkish with dark flecks
- Luster
- Vitreous to dull
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Physical properties
Hardness: 6-7 on Mohs scale; Color: Gray, white, or pinkish with dark flecks; Luster: Vitreous to dull; Structure: Phaneritic (coarse-grained) crystalline; Cleavage: None (fractures irregularly); Specific gravity: 2.63-2.75.
Formation & geological history
Formed through the slow crystallization of magma below Earth's surface (intrusive). Most continental granite was formed during the Precambrian to Paleozoic eras in orogenic belts.
Uses & applications
Extensively used in construction, countertops, monuments, paving stones, and as aggregate for roads.
Geological facts
Granite makes up a large portion of the Earth's continental crust. Mount Rushmore is carved into a granite batholith. It is one of the hardest and most durable natural stones.
Field identification & locations
Identify by its interlocking 'salt and pepper' crystalline texture where minerals are large enough to see with the naked eye. Found in mountainous or glaciated regions with exposed bedrock.
